Dr. Antonarakis Describes the TAXYNERGY Trial in mCRPC

Emmanuel Stylianos Antonarakis, MBBCh, Assistant Professor of Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses the TAXYNERGY trial that is exploring molecular markers of response in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) following an early switch in taxane-based treatment.

The phase II TAXYNERGY trial is exploring an early switch from treatment with docetaxel to cabazitaxel or the opposite sequence. Additionally, the trial is examining the role of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) at predicting response to treatment with microtubule inhibitors, such as docetaxel and cabazitaxel.

In general, Antonarakis explains, early trials have suggested that androgen receptors use the microtubules to translocate into the nucleus. In this trial, CTCs will be interrogated to discover if the androgen receptors bind to the microtubules and are inhibited by docetaxel or cabazitaxel from entering the nucleus, suggesting response.

Overall, Antonarakis believes this trial will answer many questions regarding treatment with docetaxel and cabazitaxel in mCRPC. These topics include the role of first-line treatment with cabazitaxel in mCRPC, an early switch from docetaxel to cabazitaxel, and the development of a possible predictive biomarker using CTCs.